Chicago Blackhawks players reveal their honest thoughts on latest hiring of head coach Jeff Blashill

«I've had him for more than half of my career,» Bertuzzi said. «Honestly, nothing but great things to say. He explains things well. He's very to the point. He's very detailed. He's very personable. I think that's one of the biggest things when you're just able to be honest with a coach and talk to each other and try to figure things out.

«He obviously went through it in Detroit, where he's got a young guy and some other players and kind of the same situation we're in now with growing as a team and trying to find our identity. A lot of young skill that needs to be coached well, and I think he's the guy for the job.»

«I think just keeping it simple and keep doing the same things,» Bertuzzi said. «He just harped to play hard and simple, and plays will open up and chances will come, and you'll be able to create off of that. I think that's going to be huge for our team.»

«Very similar situation, come in with some young players,» Veleno said. «I had him for one year, but as far as I remember, even throughout my development camps and being there with the Wings coming out of junior, I was able to learn a lot from him. Obviously, teaching you how to become a real pro and play the game the right way. He had a big emphasis on playing all over the ice and not just when you have the puck, but defending well and having those opportunities to defend well will translate to more offense, spending less time in your own zone. There are definitely a few pages I took from him and the rest of the staff that was there at the time when I was younger. I think it's definitely a positive, surrounding ourselves with him and being a younger team. I think it'll be good to learn to play the right way and have a better feel game. Hopefully, he'll be able to get that message out, and we'll really grab onto what he has to teach us.»